Castello di Sarriod de La Tour

Valle d’Aosta is a region also known as valley of castles. It is has two main passes Gran San Bernardo and Piccolo San Bernardo. The latter is on the France border and the former is on the French Switzerland border and for this reason in the ancient periods especially during the Medieval one, Valle d’Aosta was controlled by several castles built in the more strategic places, mainly on the top of high hills or on the rim of very important roads.

On the edge of a cliff located on Dora Baltea river, there is Castello di Sarriod de La Tour, a fantastic and compelling castle with medieval origins. Dora Baltea is the main river of Valle d’Aosta region end Castello di Sarriod de La Tour belongs to Saint Pierre village.

It seems that the castle dates back to XIII century, and it has always been owned by the powerful Sarriod de La Tour family until the year 1923. It then passed under the Valle d’Aosta administration. Over the years the castle has been updated several time, so it happens that some its rooms show particular internal divisions or refurbishments.

For example the chapel of Castello di Sarriod de La Tour had fantastic frescoes dating back to XIII century and a fantastic celling built of wood, but it was rebuilt with a baroque vaulted shape, destroying part of frescoes that are still visible in small snippets.

As in many castles, also in Castello di Sarriod de La Tour original furniture is not present, stolen or destroyed over the years therefore rooms are bare, but one of them is particularly worthy of attention. It is named Sala delle Teste and its celling is built with wooden beams decorated with small wooden sculpture representing absolutely well conserved mythical figures.

Anyway let’s underline that Castello di Sarriod de La Tour is well preserved and restored and its view from Dora Baltea river is really breathtaking and amazing.

If you want more information please contact us using the info box !

Click images to see their description.